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Jumbuck - ARC Baltic - First days in Ronne



Well the stronger NE winds have arrived, but so far it's not gone much above 25 knots day times, and with the sun giving us 28C, the wind can feel nicely cooling. It's a little different at night when we've felt 30+ knots scudding through.

But I'm pleased we are not out beating our way anywhere out to sea. Jumbucks ok as a cruiser reaching and running, but beating to windward for more than a day trying to cook, eat, sleep in a bouncy 35 footer heeled over at a substantial angle, has got knobs on it.

Even parked where we are in Ronnes (pronounced Rhunni) south harbour, we are seeing bullets of N/NE breeze coming through that are moving all the boats around and making it uncomfortable for some. When the boat alongside moved yesterday, we grabbed his buoy to moor up to two, making it ok for us. But if we've still got these winds come Friday - our scheduled departure day - then this is one boat that won't be leaving. For the sake of a few days stopover, we could be serenely sailing north to Gotland before lighter S/SW winds forecast for Sunday. That would suit us much more.

Today we spent the morning on a deserted beach just north of Ronne. Took 30 minutes furious pedalling on the hire bikes against the stiff wind, to reach the forested tracks leading down to the dunes.

Found a great spot out of the wind to try and turn my white chest into a colour that better matches the brown arms. Sue says pale pink was a good starter.

Got so hot in the sun that a dip was the only option. Will have to return sometime to recover my private parts. It was truly cold.

Returned the bikes late arvo, just enjoyed a sundowner of two on Boisbarbu our pals yacht, and snugged up Jumbuck with extra lines as we expect the worst of the winds to blow through early hours tonight. Interestingly we've had a Polish sailing school boat - real old clunker but crewed by a simply lovely bunch of 25 yo guys and gals - fetch up in the berth beside us to sit out this weather. Makes you realise how lucky most sailors are in the UK when you see just how much pleasure these youngsters simply get from sailing their heap of steel from Poland to Denmark. Currently the younger males on board are getting well tanked on vodka as they BBQ on the dock. The girls are prancing around simply being girls. It's all good stuff.

I am off at 2200 local time to watch the Argies v Netherlands on a big boat with a big TV. Still no big boat envy. Yet. But with the family connections, got to barrack this time for the Dutchies, so it's on, on Mr Robbens and Van Percie.

P.S. It's late Thursday and the NE winds are still howling through, although we are enjoying super sunny weather so far. The ARC team have delayed our departure to Visby by at least 24 hours, and we will be updated tomorrow. I can feel a bit of retail therapy coming on ........

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